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F. SCHAUMAN. I

INTERLOCKING SWITCH AND SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAY$.

Patented Mar. 15

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INTERLOCKING SWITCH AND SIGNALING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAYS Patented Mar. 15,1898.

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Unrrnn STATES ATENI FFICE,a

INTERLOCKING SWITCH AND SlGNALiNG APPARATUS FOR RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 600,679, dated March 15, 1898. Application filed December 2,1897. Serial No 660,535. (No model.) Patented in Sweden March 26, 1897, No. 8,293.

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRIDOLF SCHAUMAN, engineer, of Mariedal, Stockholm, Sweden, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for Improvements in Interlocking Switch and Sigpaling Apparatus for Railways to be as folows:

The present invention (patented in Sweden March 26, 1897, No. 8,293) relates to an improved locking arrangement for interlocking switch and signaling apparatus for railways, said locking arrangement being so contrived that the pulleys used in the apparatus for transmitting motion to the signals and switches can be revolved only when occupying a certain position in relation to each other. The construction of the locking arrangement is such that one signal cannot be moved to safety for one track untilall switches belonging to this track have been set in a certain manner and the signal at the opposite end of the track has been given the position stop. The act of revolving the first-mentioned signal-pulley into the safety position causes all switch-pulleys belonging to it at the lever apparatus, and also the pulley for operating the signal at the opposite end of the track, to be locked in their positions, and it will be impossible to stir them from said positions until the firstmentioned signal-pulley has been returned to the stop position.

In the annexed drawings,Figure 1 illustrates an elevation of a lever apparatus provided with the locking arrangement referred to. Fig. 2 is a section on the line A B of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a detail view.

The lever apparatus, as usual, consists of a shaft a, permanently secured in a stand, and on which are loosely mounted the pulleys for operating the signals and switches, which, by means of wire ropes, are each connected with a pulley attached to the corresponding signal or switch. In Fig. 1 there is shown as an example a lever apparatus having two signal-cord pulleys I II and two switch-cord pulleys I and I belonging to the former of the two, one, I, being adapted to be locked in the two extreme positions of its corresponding switch, while the other, 1 can only be locked in one of the extreme positions of its corresponding switch. Belonging to the other signal-cord pulley, II, there is shown a single switch-pulley II only in the figure, though '1 bar 0 (or 0) extends to the adjoining system,

belonging to the opposite end of the track, and is also provided with a projecting pin cl (or d) for engaging with the signal-pulley II (or I) of said system. It may be extended, however, to any or all of the switch-pulleys of this system as well and be provided With pins for engaging with these pulleys, if it is desired to lock the latter simultaneously with the signal, it being then evidently necessary to provide the hubs of the said pulleys with an additional slot 6 c As mentioned, in the lever apparatus shown in Fig. l the bar 0 is provided with pins for engaging with the pulleys I, I, I and II. Said pins enter into slots 6 c c a extending through a portion of the circumference of the hub of the corresponding pulleys and being so shaped that the slot c of the signal-pulleys from the middle of the slot (corresponding to the stop position) toward its ends curves off axially in opposite directions, while the slots 6 c of the switch-pulleys are through their entire length situated in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and at one or both ends have axially-directed recesses f f, into which the respective pins can be pushed.

For the sake of distinctness the slots of the pulleys are shown developed in a plan view in Fig. 3. In the pulleys I and II, which serve for setting the ordinary switches and must be arranged so as to be locked in two positions, the two axially-directed recesses f f of the slot are located at each end of the latter, while in the pulley I the recesses are placed at the same end of the slot, since the latter pulley is intended to be locked in one of the extreme positions only. Besides the curved slot previously mentioned there is made in the hub of the signal-pulley I and II a straight slot 6 of the same shape as that of the switch-pulleys, tho ugh having the axial recesses ff, located at the middle of the slot, this position corresponding to the stop position of the signal-pulley.

The locking arrangement operates as follows: WVhen one of the signal-pulleys is revolved in one direction, its oblique slot 6 causes the pin (1, engaging with it, to be shifted axially, together with the bar 0, to one side, according to the direction in which the pulley is revolved. In order, however, to allow of this rotation, the position of the slots of the other pulleys must be such that they will not prevent the motion in the corresponding direction of their respective pins, which are rigidly fixed to the said bar. In order that the position shown in Fig. 1 (corresponding to main track clear, for instance) shall be,

occupied by the signahpulley I, it is necessary that the slot 6 of the switch-pulley I shall previously have been set in such a manner that its right-hand recess f will lie opposite the pin 61 (which position it can occupy only when the branch track does not connect with the main track) and that the pulley I be so located that the end e of the slot provided with the recesses f f be situated directly opposite its pin, (in which position the corresponding track is blocked, for instance.) Moreover, the straight slot e of the other signal-pulley, II, must occupy its central position-22 6., correspond to the stop position of the signal belonging to itand its switchpnlleys occupy predetermined positions, provided that the locking-bar extends to them as Well. When the signal-pulley I is subsequently revolved to safety, the pins of the locking-bar enter the corresponding recesses.

of the slots, Fig. 1, thus locking the switchpulleys belonging to the same system in their proper positions, while the signal-pulley II (and alternatively the switch-pulleys of the opposite end of the track) is simultaneously locked in the stop position, and it will now be impossible tostir said pulleys from their positions until the pulley I has again been revolved into its central positioni. e., for p n In'case of double slots being arranged in the switch-pulleys, as previously mentioned, the recesses f f" of the slots may be given such direction that the signal at one end of the railway-yard cannot be set in position main track clear (or side track) until the switch at the other end of the same track has been set forside track, (or main track,) it being thus-made possible to avoid collision should one train in spite of the stop-signal run into the station simultaneously with the arrival of another train from the opposite direction.

In using the described locking arrangement for central switch and signaling apparatus it is of great importance that the wire ropes should be so tightly stretched that the rotation of the pulleys at the lever apparatus will exactly correspond in amount to the motion required for setting the switch-points,because in the case of insufficient tension in the ropes the pulleys of the lever apparatus might easily be turned to their locking positions, (and consequently corresponding signals be set for safety,) although the switch may not be fully shifted. The tension of the wire ropes is usually brought about by means of an automatic tension device, which, however, does not preclude the possibility when eX- cessively-great power is applied to the lever of the wire rope being stretched to such an extent that the pulley of the lever apparatus can be revolved into its locking position, although the switch-for instance, if any obstructing object has entered between the pointsis not fully closed. WVith a view to obviating this difficulty the reversing arrangement at the switch is so constructed that the pulleys of the central lever apparatus cannot be shifted to their locking position until the corresponding switches have been fully shifted. A reversing arrangement of this kind is illustrated in Fig. 4 in a vertical longitudinal section and in Fig. 5 viewed from one end and partly in section. Fig. 6 illustrates a detail.

In the framework a there is rigidly secured a horizontal shaft b ,on which is loosely mounted the hub of a radial arm 0 the free end of which is jointed to the bar d connected in usual manner to the switch-points and serving for shifting the latter. In this bar d are two recesses e 6 having beveled edges and being located at such a distance from each other longitudinally with reference to the bar that a latch f mounted on the framework and pressed against the bar by means of a spring, canenter either of them when the switch-points are shifted to the corresponding extreme position. On the shaft b there is also loosely mounted a pulley g which in the usual manner by means of a wire rope is connected to the corresponding pulley of the central lever apparatus and besides being rigidly connected to a lever by means of which it can be reversed directly.

The hub of the pulley g is provided at the inside with a pin 72%, which enters into a V- shaped groove 2* in the circumference of the shaft, the vertex of which groove points toward the arm 0 When the pulley is revolved from one of its extreme positions, it is first compelled by one branch of the V- shaped groove i to slide on the shaft toward the arm 0 and in the continued rotation it is pushed back the same amount by the other branch of said groove. The arm e is fitted with a projection 73, pointing toward the shaft, (and suitably made wedge-shaped) and in the hub of the pulley g (or of the reversing-leverrigidly attached to it) there is a cor responding recess Z ,which,having progressed through a certain distance on the shaft during the above-mentioned shifting of the pulley, engages the projection la and compels the arm 0 to take part in the rotation of the ICC pulley while the latter passes through the illtermediate portion of its stroke, the said arm 0 bein g released again and stopped when the pulley in its continued rotation is shifted farther back on the shaft. The period of engagement is so adjusted as to correspond perfectly to the distancebetween the recesses e and a, or, in other words, to the motion of the switch-points from one extremity to the other, while the rotary movement of the pulleys is considerably greater, so as to correspond not only to the motion of the sWitch-' points, but, in addition, to the maximum amount of stretch which can possibly exist in the wire ropes.

From the arm 0 projects axially a pin m which engages with a slot in the pulley g' or in the reversing-lever, said slot being of sufficient length to allow of the pin,when the cordpulley is shifted to either of its extreme positions, always being at the corresponding end of the slot. The strength of the pin is so adjusted as to cause the pin to break at a strain short of that required for tearing the wire rope leading to the central lever appatus. It is evident that the pin m may equally well be fixed to the pulley or reversing-lever and the slot be located in the arm 0 When a train runs open a locked switch provided with a reversing arrangement constructed in accordance with this invention, the switchpoints exert a pressure longitudinally on the bar cZ said pressure being transmitted by the arm 0 to the pulley or reversing-lever by means of the pin m which will break when the pressure exceeds that for which it has been calculated, owing to the fact that the pin cannot be shifted farther in the slot of the battery (or the reversinglever) and it is impossible to move the latter, since it is locked by the central locking arrangement. As a result of the presence of this safety device the switch apparatus will not be injured when a switch is thus run open, the damage beinglimited to the broken pin m which can be easily replaced. In order that the corresponding signal may be set for stop simultaneously with the shifting of a switch in this manner, the switch-bar d should be connected to the wire ropes lead ing to the signal. The switch-pulley cannot subsequently be reversed until the switch points have been returned to their position before running open the switch.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is-- 1. An improved locking arrangement for interlocking switch and signaling apparatus for railways, consisting of a fixed shaft (1 provided with two longitudinal grooves b, b and having revolubly mounted thereon pulleys I, I, 1 II each connected to its respective signal apparatus or switch and in each of the aforesaid longitudinal grooves a sliding locking-bar c, 0', extending through the hubs of all the pulleys I, I I belonging to the same system and corresponding to one end of the track, and into the hub of the pulley II for operating the signal and, alternatively, into the pulleys for operating any or all of the switches at the opposite end of the track, said locking-bar being provided with projecting pins cl or cl engaging with slots 6 e 6 extending through a portion of the circumference of the hubs of the corresponding pulleys, the arrangement of these slots being such that the slot of the signal-pulley I of the system from the middle of the slot, curves off toward each end in opposite directions axially while those of the switch-pulleys of said system through their entire length are located in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and at one or both ends are provided with axially-directed recesses f f, into which the aforesaid pins cl d enter when the signal-pulley has been set in one of its extreme positions, and the hub of the pulley for operating the signal at the opposite end of the railway-yard besides its curved slot 6 is provided with a second slot e parallel to those of the switch-pulleys and having at its middle axially -extending recesses opposite each other all forthe purpose of preventing the signal-pulley of one system from being shifted from stop to safetyuntil the-switch-pulleys of the system have been set in a fixed end position and the signal at the opposite end of the track has been placed at stop and alternatively, its switches in fixed end positions, and of locking the pulleys actuated by the said locking-bar in their positions when the signal-pulley is turned into the safety position.

2. In combination with a locking arrangement for switch and signaling apparatus, as claimed in the first claim, an arrangement applied to the switch proper and serving for shifting the latter, consisting of a horizontal shaft 11* rigidly fixed in a framework a and on which are revolubly mounted aradial arm o thefree end of which is jointed to the bar cZ for reversing the switch-points, and a pulley g connected with corresponding pulley of the central lever apparatus, the first-mentioned pulley g being provided, on the one hand, at the inner side of its hub with a pin h entering a V-shaped groove t' in the circumference of the shaft and pointing with its vertex toward the above mentioned arm 0 jointed to the switch-bar, and, on the other hand, at the outer side of its hub (or the hub of a reversing-lever embracing it) with a radial recess P which when the pulley is being shifted on the shaft can engage a projection 70 on the arm o previously referred to, thus compelling the said arm to take part in the rotation of the cord-pulley on the shaft as long as the engagement lasts, all for the purpose of giving an excess of rotation to the pulley abovethat required for reversing the switch and thus gaining assurance that the corresponding pulley of the central lever ap- IIC paratus cannot be placed in its locking position when the switch-points are incompletely closed, even though the wire ropes connecting the pulleys be stretched owing to an increase of temperature or other causes.

3. In combination with a reversing arrangement as claimed in the second claim, a safety device consisting of a pin m projectin g axially from the radial arm 0 or from the pulley (or reversing-lever), said pin entering a slot in the pulley (or reversing-lever) or the radial arm, which slot is of such a length that in the rotation of the pulley to either of its extreme positions the pin will always be at the corresponding end of the slot. I 5 In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

. FRID. SOHAUMAN.

Witnesses:

CARL P. GERELL, JOHN EDBERG. 

